Aerospace
A&R manufactures a multitude of aerospace parts that go on different aircraft platforms.
Our parts are on several Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier aircraft that are flown all across America and beyond.
Manufacturing for aerospace is unique due to several factors that differentiate it from other industries:
Stringent Safety and Quality Standards
- Aerospace manufacturing has to adhere to extremely strict safety regulations and standards, including those set by organizations like the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), and AS9100/ISO 9001.
- Any failure or defect in a component could lead to catastrophic consequences, so the tolerances for errors are incredibly tight, and testing is rigorous.
Material Requirements
- Aerospace parts often require specialized materials that can withstand extreme conditions like high temperatures, pressures, and corrosion. These materials include titanium, aluminum alloys, composites, and ceramics.
- These materials not only need to be lightweight for fuel efficiency but also extremely durable and strong to endure the stresses of flight.
Precision Engineering
- Aerospace manufacturing demands extremely precise engineering and tight tolerances, sometimes to the level of a thousandth of inch. This is because even small deviations in a part’s size or shape can affect the performance or safety of an aircraft.
Complex Geometries and Designs
- Aerospace components, such as turbine blades, engine parts, and structural elements, often have highly complex and intricate designs.
- The need to balance performance, weight, and aerodynamics adds to the complexity.
Long Lead Times and High Costs
- The manufacturing process for aerospace parts can be very time-consuming. This is partly due to the detailed design and testing phases, as well as the need for precise materials.
- The high cost of materials, labor, and the complexity of processes lead to a higher cost of manufacturing than in many other industries. However, the costs are justified by the critical nature of the components.
Testing and Certification
- Rigorous testing is a major aspect of aerospace manufacturing. Components must undergo extensive testing to ensure they meet performance, safety, and durability requirements.
- Certification processes, such as stress tests, fatigue tests, vibration tests, and thermal tests, are time-consuming but vital.
- Parts often need to undergo both ground testing and flight testing to verify their performance in real-world conditions.
Supply Chain Complexity
- Aerospace manufacturing often involves a global supply chain due to the specialized nature of the components and materials. Parts may come from different suppliers around the world, and this requires careful coordination to ensure the right parts are available at the right time.
Environmental and Regulatory Considerations
- Aerospace manufacturing must take into account environmental regulations and sustainability. This includes considerations like reducing waste, improving fuel efficiency, and using more sustainable materials.
Conclusion
In summary, Aerospace manufacturing is unique because of the extreme precision, high safety standards, use of specialized materials, long production times, complex designs, and the importance of testing and certification. These factors require advanced technologies, significant expertise, and a high level of coordination throughout the supply chain.
A&R Engineering has been meeting these challenges for more than 40 years. Prime contractors and Tier 1 companies know they can trust A&R.
